Check out these amazing environmental justice organizations. Get connected, find resources and take action for environmental justice.
by Taylor O’Connor | 6 September 2024
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
“Environmental justice means that no community should be saddled with more environmental burdens and less environmental benefits than any other.” – Majora Carter
Some years ago I saw the inspiring TED Talk by environmental justice advocate Majora Carter. Aside from being one of the all-time top TED Talks it sparked my curiosity in two ways. Having a background peacebuilding I’ve bee interested in the linkages between peace and the environment, and I also feel like peacebuilding efforts often fall short due to lack of social justice perspectives and approaches.
The field of environmental peacebuilding is interesting and has so many innovative approaches, however, like the broader field of peacebuilding I believe it could benefit greatly from integrating social justice perspectives and approaches. This is where environmental justice comes in.
So I have been exploring creative approaches within the global movements for environmental justice and climate justice. This begins with a mapping of environmental justice networks and organizations, and it will be followed up with deeper analysis.
For now, I have included here my mapping of environmental justice organizations to help all interested in environmental justice to get connected with these amazing organizations, to help those involved in environmental peacebuilding or general peacebuilding initiatives to integrate environmental justice approaches, and for some, to inspire you to launch your own environmental justice activities.
Defining environmental justice and climate justice
To support readers, I have included working definitions of key terms: environmental justice and climate justice. I may write more about this at a later date, but for now I have just found working definitions online that we can use for the purposes of this article.
Environmental justice: Environmental justice is idea that people of all cultures, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds deserve fair protection from environmental and health hazards, as well as equal access to the decision-making processes behind environmental policies and development.
Climate justice: Climate justice highlights the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice, emphasizing that those least responsible for climate change are often the most affected by its impacts. It advocates for addressing these inequities through inclusive, equitable climate policies.
Within the field of peacebuilding, when addressing environmental issues we often discuss the concept and approaches of environmental peacebuilding. Differentiating environmental justice and climate justice from environmental peacebuilding, a definition of environmental peacebuilding is provided below.
Environmental peacebuilding: Incorporating the value of natural capital and the related benefits into security, humanitarian and development objectives in order to prevent conflict and promote peace.
To put it in a simple and practical way, for me, environmental peacebuilding includes any effort to address the environmental causes of conflict or to use environmental protection/conservation to mobilize people to work together to build peaceful relationships amongst humans and with the natural environment.
Lessons learned while researching environmental justice organizations
While researching for this blog post I encountered many environment organizations, but not all which focus on peace and justice. In reviewing the organizations that explicitly work for environmental justice, my observations are as follows:
- Environmental justice organizations and networks often operate separately from environmental peacebuilding organizations and networks. They take different approaches and apply a different philosophy for action, more closely aligned with social justice.
- Many environmental justice organizations are led by indigenous activism or by communities of color, or they work in solidarity with these and other marginalized communities.
- While there are many approaches for promoting (or fighting for!) environmental justice, what all have in common is that they recognize that health and wellbeing of people and planet are intertwined, and their advocacy and actions are for people and planet
- Many environmental justice organizations take explicit social justice approaches like working for abolition and the up-ending of the status quo that harms people and planet
- Many groups link social justice and human rights, explicitly the rights of the planet and environment. Some focus on rights of earth and rights of people to land, water, air that sustain human life.
- Many environmental justice organizations make explicit how social, economic and environmental justice issues are linked
- Many environmental justice organizations highlight the environmental destruction of war and militarism, and are explicitly for demilitarization for people and planet
- Many environmental justice groups work through networks to support grassroots action, coordinating advocacy campaigns, and take other actions for environmental justice
Environmental Justice Organizations
Below I have included descriptions of 29 environmental justice organizations. They have been organized into five categories outlined below:
- Environmental justice research and advocacy
- Policy engagement and environmental law
- Networking, training and grassroots action
- National and community-based environmental justice organizations
- Environmental justice activism
What is included: only organizations that are explicitly working on environmental justice and/or climate justice.
What is not included:
- Environmental Peacebuilding organizations are not included. I have a separate blog post mapping Environmental Peacebuilding Organizations and Networks.
- Environment and climate activist groups are not included unless they have an explicit focus on social justice.
- Social justice organizations are not included unless they have an explicit focus on the environment.
I have included major international organizations and networks and only a few selected national and community-based initiatives for inspiration. There are many more national and community-based environmental justice organizations not included, primarily as most of these don’t have well-established websites and because the scope of covering national and community-based organizations for environmental justice worldwide is too wide.
Environmental justice research and advocacy
Organizations in this section focus on research and advocacy for environmental justice. All of them are involved in advocacy and some are involved in research and advocacy. All research initiatives are linked to some form of advocacy, but not all advocacy involves research.
Global Witness
Global Witness works to promote justice for those disproportionately affected by the climate crisis: people in the global south, indigenous communities and communities of colour, women and younger generations. They lead campaigns that hold companies and governments to account for their destruction of the environment, their disregard for the planet and their failure to protect human rights. The key approach they take in campaigning is finding facts, exposing stories, and using this to change the system.
The Rainforest Action Network
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) works to preserve forests, protect the climate, and uphold human rights through strategic campaigns and partnerships. They challenge corporate power and systemic injustice to drive positive systemic change, advocating for the importance of collective action in creating a sustainable future. They work in solidarity with indigenous communities and leverage people power to drive change.
International Rivers
International Rivers works to protect rivers and defend the rights of the communities that rely on them. Their efforts ensure that rivers remain free-flowing and healthy, supporting ecosystems and human livelihoods. Their key activities include conducting investigative research, advocacy campaigns, and supporting local communities in their fight against destructive dam projects and river exploitation. They aim to create sustainable alternatives and promote the rights of indigenous and marginalized communities affected by water-related developments.
The Amazon Watch
Amazon Watch stands up for the rights of indigenous communities and the preservation of the Amazon rainforest. They use advocacy to challenge corporate and governmental interests, working tirelessly to protect this vital ecosystem and promote environmental justice.
The Earth Action International
Created in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Earth Action International is a global action network of over 2,600 organizations in 165 countries, working on a variety of campaigns to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. It is their mission to inform and inspire people everywhere to turn their concern, passion and outrage into meaningful action for a more just, peaceful and sustainable world. They lead campaigns and initiatives that promote a sustainable and just world for all.
The World Resources Institute
World Resources Institute conducts research on urgent environmental challenges. They forge partnerships with governments, businesses, research organizations, civil society groups and others to bring the right change-makers together. Then they use their research to leverage change for people and planet. They use research-based approaches to meet people’s essential needs; to protect and restore nature; and to stabilize the climate and build more resilient communities. They aim to fundamentally transform the way the world produces food, uses energy and designs its cities to create a better future for all.
Policy engagement and environmental law
Organizations in this section are involved in the creation of laws and policies to protect the environment and people that depend on the earth, or the use laws to protect people and planet. Many link human rights with the rights of the earth.
Earthjustice
Earthjustice is a nonprofit environmental law organization that utilizes the power of law and partnerships to protect people’s health, preserve natural places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. Earthjustice engages in litigation and advocacy to champion environmental issues both nationally and internationally
The EarthRights International
EarthRights International (ERI) combines the power of law with the power of people to defend human rights and the environment, known as “earth rights”. ERI takes legal action against perpetrators of earth rights abuses, provides training to activists, and works alongside communities to demand meaningful and sustainable change.
The Environmental Law Institute
Environmental Law Institute (ELI) seeks to make law work for people, places, and the planet, fostering innovative, just, and practical solutions to environmental law and policy issues across borders. ELI utilizes its expertise in law, policy analysis, and education to advance environmental protection. Through their efforts they seek to create a healthy environment, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities based on the rule of law.
Ecojustice
Ecojustice is a Canadian environmental law group dedicated to using the power of the law to protect nature, combat climate change, and ensure a healthier environment for all. They leverage laws and legal systems to hold governments and corporations accountable for environmental laws, and advocate for stronger environmental policies.
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide
The Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) is a global network of attorneys, scientists, and advocates dedicated to defending communities and ecosystems through law and science. ELAW provides expert legal, scientific, and organizational support to empower public interest lawyers and their organizations in over 80 countries. They work to ensure that decisions impacting the environment are grounded in the rule of law, sound science, and principles of environmental justice, enabling communities to protect their rights and chart a sustainable future.
The Franciscans International
Franciscans International (FI) advocates for national and international policy change for dignity, peace and environmental justice. They serve as a bridge between the grassroots activists and decision makers at the United Nations. FI works closely with civil society and faith-based organizations, through both formal and informal collaborations. They work with their grassroots partners to gather reliable information to address human rights violations, actively engage with key decision makers, and promote concrete solutions to environmental issues that harm local communities.
Networking, training and grassroots action
All organizations listed in this section are quite different, but they are involved in some combination of networking, training and grassroots action. The link here is that they work through wide grassroots networks to take action for environmental justice. Many integrate education and training programs to build capacity of network members for grassroots and collective action. Some are involved in policy advocacy, specifically creating platforms for grassroots activists to access policymakers and decision-making platforms. Many have a big focus on solidarity and collective action.
The World Rainforest Movement
World Rainforest Movement (WRM) is an international initiative that supports political actions of forest-dependent peoples, indigenous, peasants, and other communities in the global South. They work to strengthen the global movement in defense of forests and fight deforestation and forest degradation, guided by the principles of social and ecological justice and respect for human and collective rights. Their main activities include facilitating exchange of information and resistance experiences among grassroots groups, denouncing false solutions proposed by international institutions, and dissemination of resources.
The Indigenous Environmental Network
Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) is an alliance of grassroots Indigenous Peoples dedicated to protecting the sacredness of Mother Earth from contamination and exploitation by upholding traditional teachings and natural laws. IEN builds the capacity of Indigenous communities and tribal governments to safeguard sacred sites, land, water, air, and natural resources, advocating for the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples and the environment.
The Global Exchange
Global Exchange is a human rights organization that works to empower individuals to take action for social, economic, and environmental justice worldwide. Through innovative campaigns, grassroots organizing, and education programming they work to inspire everyday people to become agents of change. Their main activities include linking international and grassroots activists working for social, economic and environmental justice around the world. They organize campaigns and exposure trips associated with pressing rights and justice issues.
The Grassroots International
Grassroots International is a human rights and international development organization that supports community-led initiatives for social, economic, and ecological justice. They see themselves as a solidarity organization, supporting and accompanying social justice movements to accelerate social change processes they lead. They serve as a grantmaking initiative and describe their role as ‘solidarity philanthropy.’ They support projects and initiatives that transformation of systems, structures, and culture for social, economic, and ecological justice. They build long-term partnerships with movement leaders based on a shared vision.
Earth Island Institute
Earth Island Institute supports a diverse network of over 70 grassroots projects around the world working towards solutions to interconnected environmental challenges and threats facing our planet and humanity. They provide fiscal sponsorship, legal advocacy, training and leadership development for grassroots activists. They believe that by building a new generation of youth environmental leaders, they can develop new and innovative ways to protect and enhance the well-being of our planet and all the species that live on it.
The Friends of the Earth International
Friends of the Earth International is the world’s largest grassroots environmental federation with 70 national member groups and millions of members and supporters worldwide. They aim to create a global society where equity, human rights, and environmental sustainability are realized, envisioning interdependent people living in dignity and wholeness. They campaign on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues, challenging the current model of economic and corporate globalisation, and promoteing solutions that will help to create environmentally sustainable and socially just societies.
National and community-based environmental justice organizations
All organizations in this section are either community-based or national organizations. Some are focused on work in a specific city or state. These can be used as inspiration for community based environmental justice efforts. There are many more national and community-based environmental justice initiatives, but I have included just a selection of some great ones as most don’t have well-formed websites or online presence.
The Environmental Rights Action (ERA)
Environmental Rights Action is a Nigerian organization fighting for environmental human rights and advocating for responsible practices by the government, commercial entities, communities, and individuals. ERA is dedicated to empowering locals and providing knowledge and expertise to help alleviate issues like oil extraction conflicts and gas flaring. They advocate for the protection of human rights in relation to environmental issues and work to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all.
The Society for Environment and Human Development
The Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) promotes human rights and environmental justice in Bangladesh. They engage closely with communities impacted by environmental degradation and violations of human rights. Through research, training, dialogue and advocacy initiatives, SEHD empowers journalists, marginalized communities, and students, firmly rooted in democratic values.
The Navdanya
Founded by eco-peace hero Vandana Shiva 30 years ago in India, Navdanya focuses on agricultural biodiversity conservation and the protection of people’s rights, livelihoods, and the environment from centralized systems of monoculture in forestry, agriculture, and fisheries. Through the conservation and rejuvenation of biodiversity, they strive to regain the common good, fostering a renewed sense of community, solidarity, and a peaceful culture. In the past three decades, Navdanya’s research on Biodiversity-based Agro-ecological farming has shown the potential of Agroecology to boost nutrition, improve farmers’ incomes, and restore soil, water, and biodiversity while enhancing climate resilience.
The Sustainable South Bronx and The Hope Program
Founded by eco-peace hero Majora Carter, The Sustainable South Bronx (SSBx) supports environmental protection, rejuvenation and sustainability in the South Bronx as well as throughout New York City. Through green jobs training with participants from underprivileged communities, they support sustainable livelihoods development of participants, helping them overcome systemic racism and discrimination. In 2015, SSBx joined forces with The Hope Program, and together they promote the creation of green jobs and the cultivation of a green economy. Through training offerings and skills development, community participants develop sustainable livelihoods and bring climate mitigation tools to their communities.
Climate Justice Alliance
The Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) is a national network in the United States dedicated to advancing a Just Transition towards a regenerative economy, particularly in communities most impacted by environmental injustice. The alliance focuses on strategies that shift away from extractive economic models and build local, sustainable alternatives. By centering the leadership of frontline communities, CJA seeks to create equitable, community-led solutions that promote ecological resilience, social equity, and deep democracy.
The Hawai’i Peace and Justice
Hawai’i Peace and Justice (HPJ) is dedicated to developing a new generation of leaders, organizers, and activists who are passionate about creating a pro-peace, demilitarized, and anti-imperialist movement in Hawaiʻi and Oceania. In collaboration with local groups, they design trainings and educational programs that enhance organizing skills within communities, prioritizing climate justice over war and restoring the collective lands and waters.
Environmental justice activism
There are many peace activist groups and many more environmental activist groups. But few organizations explicitly link environment, peace and justice in their activism. This section includes some organizations that are doing great work in environmental justice activism. Many operate as networks to coordinate actions and some have great environmental justice activism resources on their websites.
The Peaceful Uprising
Peaceful Uprising is a grassroots movement that empowers individuals to take action and peacefully resist environmental destruction and social injustices. They are committed to climate justice and collective liberation. They inspire people to stand up for what they believe in and create positive change through nonviolent action, reminding us all that our collective power can shape a better world. They advocate for a revolutionary departure from the status quo to build a greener, cleaner version of the existing world.
The Ruckus Society
The Ruckus Society is a multi-racial network of trainers dedicated to providing the necessary tools, preparation, and support to build direct action capacity for ecological justice and social change movements. They work with Indigenous communities and other communities of color working to preserve their homes and environments and for climate justice. They train activists in using creative, nonviolent direct action to create change. Their work empowers individuals to challenge unjust systems and take bold steps towards building a more equitable and sustainable world. Their website has a wealth of environmental justice activism resources.
Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion is a global and decentralized movement that coordinates nonviolent actions in the face of the Climate and Ecological Emergency. In their very name they try to raise awareness of the link between environmental destruction and human suffering. They stress the urgency of immediate action to save people and planet. Through non-violent direct action and civil disobedience, they demand justice from governments, urging them to take swift and just action to protect our planet. They aim to mobilize 3.5% of the population to action, believing that this is the critical mass needed to achieve system change.
Global Justice Ecology Project
Global Justice Ecology Project (GJEP) works to address the root causes of ecological destruction, social injustice, and economic inequality by supporting grassroots movements and amplifying the voices of frontline communities. Their work centers around stopping the release of genetically engineered trees, combating false solutions to climate change, and promoting Indigenous rights and forest protection. GJEP also engages in strategic media campaigns, including radio segments and podcasts, to raise awareness and foster systemic change on environmental and human rights issues.
Get connected and take action for environmental justice
I hope that you have found some interesting environmental justice organizations in this blog post. I’ll follow this blog post up with deeper analysis of actions and approaches for environmental justice, but for now, I hope this is a useful resource for you.
I encourage you to get connected to them, join their email lists, download their resources, and participate in their events. In here I believe there is much to be learned that can benefit environmental peacebuilding and peacebuilding efforts more broadly. If you are involved in environmental peacebuilding or general peacebuilding initiatives, I encourage you to integrate environmental justice approaches, and for some, you may be inspired to launch your own environmental justice activities.
If you found this article helpful and want to find more blog posts like this mapping organizations that build peace across a wide array of themes be sure to check out our Resources page!
If there are any great environmental or climate justice organizations, networks or influencers that are missing on this list and you think it should be added, please submit it at the link HERE. I periodically update my resource posts and use these inputs to help me. Thanks in advance!
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